One common exchange student horror story is facing extreme homesickness. Being in a new place far from family and friends can be really tough. Some students also encounter problems with their host families. For example, the host family might have very different living habits or be unkind. Another is having difficulties in school. The new curriculum, different teaching methods and language barriers can make it a nightmare to keep up with studies.
There are horror stories about getting lost in a new city. Imagine arriving in a foreign place and not being able to find your way back to your accommodation or to the school. Some exchange students also have bad experiences with the local bureaucracy. For example, having trouble with visa extensions or getting the right paperwork sorted out, which can cause a great deal of stress.
A lot of exchange students have horror stories related to cultural misunderstandings. For instance, in some cultures, certain gestures or words are considered offensive, but the exchange student might not be aware of it. This can lead to embarrassing or even hostile situations. Also, there are cases where the accommodation provided is not as promised. It could be dirty, in a bad neighborhood or overcrowded.
One common element is cultural shock turning into a horror - like situation. For example, some Chinese exchange students may not be used to the way Western cemeteries are laid out. They might accidentally wander into one and get really scared because in Chinese culture, cemeteries are often in more secluded areas. Another element could be misunderstandings. A student might misunderstand a local custom as something menacing. For instance, a local festival with people wearing strange masks could seem terrifying at first.
One common element is bad host families. Some host families might be unkind, over - demanding, or have strange rules. Another is problems at school like bullying or being left out because of being different. Also, misunderstandings due to cultural differences can be a big part. For example, a simple gesture in one culture might be offensive in another, and the exchange student may face problems because of this without realizing it.
A common problem is the cultural clash. For example, some exchange students might have different ideas about personal space. They could be too close physically to the family members which can make the family feel uneasy. Another issue is the communication barrier. If the exchange student doesn't speak the language well, misunderstandings can easily occur. For instance, they might not understand the instructions about using the appliances in the house and end up breaking something.
One horror story could be that the exchange student was extremely messy. They would leave their dirty clothes all over the place, in the living room, on the stairs, and even in the kitchen. It made the whole house look like a disaster zone.
There are also cases where black students face discrimination in the loan forgiveness or deferment process. They might meet all the requirements for loan deferment, like being unemployed, but are still denied, while white students in similar situations are approved more easily.
One common horror story is the missing document fiasco. Students think they've submitted all the required paperwork, but then find out at the last minute that a key document like a reference letter is missing. It can be a real nightmare as it might delay the application process or even lead to rejection.
One horror story is about a foreign exchange student who was placed with a host family that was extremely strict about religious rules. The student, who had different beliefs, was constantly pressured to conform. They were not allowed to eat the food they liked and were made to attend religious services against their will.
One horror story is when the exchange student was extremely messy. They would leave dirty dishes everywhere in the house, and their room was always in a complete chaos. It was a nightmare for the host family to keep cleaning up after them.
One horror story is about a Chinese exchange student who arrived at a dormitory late at night. The building was old and a bit spooky. As she was trying to find her room, she heard strange noises from the end of the hall. She thought it might be other students but when she went to check, there was no one there. She later found out that the building had a history of unexplained noises and some students claimed to have seen shadowy figures.
An exchange student from Japan went to a school in Australia. During a PE class, they were playing cricket. He thought the cricket bat was a strange oversized paddle. When it was his turn to bat, he held it upside down at first and then started swinging it in the most comical way, missing the ball every time but having a great time.